Thermionic device



Feb. 15 ,1926.

1572,910 A. L. WILSON THERMIONIC'DEVICE Filed April 21, 1921 WITNESSES: r INVENTOR Hrfhur L. w/vm,

UNITED STATES ARTHUR LESLIE WILSON, OF EDGEWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- PATENT OFFICE. 1

-HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

'rnEnMIoNIo DEVICE.

Application filed April 21, 1921. Serial No. 463,231.

a vacuum-tube device of unusual simplicity,-

ruggedness of construction and ease of manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vacuum-tubedevice in which the walls thereof are reinforced by a metallic substance.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a thermionic device wherein the control electrode is embedded in the containing walls thereof. Other objects of my invention will appear more fully hereinafter in the accompanying drawings, specification.

and claims. r

In the art of vacuum-tube devices, it has been customary, in three-electrode vacuumtubes comprising an anode, a cathode and a control electrode, to dispose the control electrode either within the evacuated device or immediately adjacent to the external surface thereof.

I have found, however, that, by impressing a wire mesh into the containing walls of a vacuum-tube device and then employing the wire mesh as one electrode, preferably a grid, of a three electrode tube, a vacuum tube may be obtained that is of unusual mechanical and .electrical strength of construction, simplicity of'design and corresponding ease of manufacture.

As a matter of illustration, I have shown my invention applied to an arrangement of electrodes in which the customary hotcathode is.interposed between the controlling electrode and the plate, though I do not desire my invention to be limited to such an arrangement. v

A better understanding of my invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view, shown partially in perspective, of a vacuum-tube device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 isa cross-sectional view of the vacuum tube shown in Fig. 1 on the line 22 Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown an evacuated container 1 having suitably disposed therein a plate 2 and a filament 3.

The plate 2 is'supported by the conductingmember 4 which extends through the press 5 located at one end of the tube. The filament 3 is supported by conducting members 6 and 7 which extend through the press 8 located at the opposite end of the tube 1. The walls 9 of the closed envelope are composed of a non-conducting material having high dielectric strength, such, for example, as glass, and may be reinforced by a metallic screen or gauze 11. Y 1

\Vhen employing the reinforcing element 11 as a control electrode or grid, it is necessary to embed only a relatively small amount of gauze in the walls of the tube comparable to the size of the plate element 2. The grid 11 is electrically connected to the usual circuits associated with such tubes by means ofa conductor 12 which extends through a portion of the containing walls of the tube.

Briefly speaking, my invention, therefore, comprises a vacuum-tube device 1, one electrode of which is suitably disposed in the containing walls of the vessel.

One advantage of my invention is the provision of a vacuum-tube device having only two elements therein, with resulting simplic provision of a vacuum-tube device in which the containing walls may be reinforced to obtain atube of more rugged constructlon.

A further advantage of my invention resides in the provision of a vacuum tube inwhich the control is insulated from foreign objects by the containing walls of the tube.

While I have shown only one embodiment of my invention, it is capable of various changes and modifications, I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

H wall thereof.

' outer surfaces of the containing walls of 1. A vapor-electric device'having an electrode embedded in the containing wall thereof. I

2. An evacuated electric device having an electrode interposed between the interior and the exterior surfaces of the containing 3. A vacuum-tube device comprising a pluenclosed envelope having containing walls of non-conducting material and a reinfo'rcin metallic gauze integral therewith.

7. A vacuum-tube device having its in put electrode interposed between the inner and the outer surfaces of the walls of said device and its output electrode suitably disposed within said device.

.8. A vacuum-tube device comprising an enclosed envelope, a -controlelectrode embedded in the walls thereof, a space-current trode interposed between the inner and thesaid enclosed envelope.

5. In a thermionic device, an enclosed en-- velope comprising walls of non-conducting material and a reinforcing metallic material integral with the containing walls thereof, saidmetallic material constituting one electrode of said thermionic device.

6. A vacuum-tube device comprising an path within said envelope and electrodes individual to said space-current path.

9. A vacuum-tube device comprising an enclosed envelope having a space-current path therein and means comprising a control electrode embedded-in the walls of said envelope whereby the conductivity of said space-current path may beselectively controlled.

In testimony whereof, I- have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of April,

ARTHUR LESLIE WILSON. 

